National Bed Month, March 2022

Sleeping is the one activity we do the most of in our lives. We spend, on average, a total of 26 years asleep and 7 years trying to get to sleep! 

Our beds, mattresses, bedding and pillows play a significant role in helping us achieve a restful night’s slumber or a cheeky forty winks. If you’re looking to replace your current bed, don’t forget to check your local recycling centre’s reuse shop, charity shops or reuse groups. Some charities and reuse groups also sell brand new mattresses at budget friendly prices.

What can you do with your old bed and accessories?

Mattresses

The Better Sleep Council strongly recommends that we consider replacing our mattresses after seven years’ use. If yours still has some life left in it, local charities or furniture re-use shops may collect it from you to sell on. Alternatively, you can sell it on Gumtree and other selling sites or give it away on Freegle or Freecycle. Don’t forget to check these places if you’re looking to buy a replacement mattress too.

If it’s given up the ghost, some bed companies will take your old mattress away when they deliver your new one. Some will recycle the mattress and others will dispose of it via landfill or Energy from Waste so make sure to check before booking. You can also arrange directly with a mattress recycling company to collect your mattress and recycle it – there are several to choose from online. As with any company you pay to remove waste or recycling from your house, follow these top tips to check they are licensed waste carriers and not rogue fly tippers.

Find out more about how mattresses are recycled here.

Alternatively you can arrange a bulky waste collection from your local council or take your mattress to your nearest recycling centre.  For both of these options, your mattress will go to an Energy from Waste facility where it will be used to generate electricity.

Bedding

Sheets, blankets, duvets, pillows and covers – it’s always best to pass on any clean and usable items to friends and family first, or offer on selling sites.

Charity shops and textile banks are more limited in what they will accept so it’s important to check before you donate. Generally, bulky items such as duvets and pillows are not accepted. Some homeless shelters or animal rescues will take them but, again, it’s important to check first. Duvets can be used as mattress toppers or as a base under sleeping bags, and pillow stuffing can be used in cushions or bean bags. If yours are feather, you can compost the feathers in a compost bin in your garden or give them away for use in arts and crafts. If you’re handy with a needle and thread, these pillow floor mats are great for kids, camping or sitting outdoors!

Beds

Whether it’s a divan or a frame, try to sell it on or give it to friends and family first. Charity shops or furniture reuse shops may also be interested. If these options are a no-go, consider using take back schemes when buying your new bed, your local council’s bulky waste collection or disposal at your local recycling centre.

At the end of the day, you can sleep well knowing there are plenty of options to reuse and recycle all things bed related. Sweet dreams!